Alfred thayer mahans at the time of original publication mahan was a captain the influence of sea power upon history was and perhaps remains, the single most influential book ever written by an american. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601805 hardcover illustrated, december 1, 1987. The influence of mahan upon chinas maritime strategy. In large measure, mahans effectiveness was derived from his style in discourse. The growth of british sea power england after the peace of utrecht, 1715 17. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 is an influential treatise on naval warfare written in 1890 by alfred thayer mahan. The influence of sea power upon the french revolution and empire, 17931812 2 vols. Jan 05, 2016 suzanne geisslers god and sea power is a delightful, wellresearched, and fascinating book. By the end of the 1890s, the united states had embarked on its journey as an imperial power. In 1890, captain alfred thayer mahan, a lecturer in naval history and the president of the united states naval war college, published the influence of sea power.
To affirm the importance of distant markets, and the relation to them of our own immense powers of. Alfred thayer mahan has 97 books on goodreads with 4967 ratings. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 alfred. Alfred thayer mahan was influential in helping to buildup naval defenses before world war i. Excerpts from alfred thayer mahans the interest of america in sea power.
How influential was the influence of sea power upon history. In the interest of america in sea power, present and future 1897, he sought to arouse his fellow americans to a realization of their maritime responsibilities. See all 6 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Apr 17, 2012 if sea power be really based upon a peaceful and extensive commerce, aptitude for commercial pursuits must be a distinguishing feature of the nations that have at one time or another been great upon the sea. Mahan was sent by the navy to found the united states naval war college in 1873. Our whiteboardtowet in six months mantra inspires our team to reach new heights and depths, to the benefit of our customers. Oct 22, 2010 the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 is an influential treatise on naval warfare written in 1890 by alfred thayer mahan. The project gutenberg ebook of the influence of sea power. The naval officer in question is alfred thayer mahan 18401914 who, in 1890, published the results of his extensive study of history, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. The project gutenberg ebook of the influence of sea power upon. Mahan this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever.
Young mahan spent his early years at west point, until he was sent to a boarding school. This excerpt is from alfred thayer mahans the influence of sea power upon history. Mahan s scholarly effort, in preparation for a teaching assignment at the naval war college in newport, rhode island, lead him to prepare an unprecedented. Mahans scholarly effort, in preparation for a teaching assignment at the naval war. The united states looking outward navy captain alfred t. It details the role of sea power throughout history and discusses the various factors needed to support a strong navy. Other articles where the interest of america in sea power, present and future is discussed.
Mahans thesis that for an nation to be great it had to be a sea power was immensely influential in the growth of the german navy prior to world war 1 and the expansion of the us into overseas areas in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Suzanne geisslers god and sea power is a delightful, wellresearched, and fascinating book. He emphasized the importance of sea power and was inspirational in establishing navies around the world. The influence of sea power upon history wikisource, the. Corbett, examined sea warfare between and among england, france and spain from the late 1500s onward. In france we dont do as you, where a few people take a great many shares each. Their studies occurred against the backdrop of military analysis by such theorists as jomini and clausewitz, and, in mahan s case, the writings on war. Indeed, he might be considered the thinker on sea power, the essential starting point for studying the course and conduct of war at sea and for understanding the strategic importance of the maritime commons in determining the rise and fall of great powers. Sea power in its relations to the war of 1812 by mahan, a. Alfred thayer mahan on sea power, 1890 to turn now from the particular lessons drawn from the history of the past to the general question of the influence of government upon the sea career of its people, it is seen that that influence can work in two distinct but closely related ways. He now pronounces seapower evangelist alfred thayer.
Thayermahan is driving a massive paradigm shift in how maritime security is accomplished. A nation exhausted by isolation france under louis xiv 16. Alfred thayer mahan s study of history led him to strongly believe that a nations sea power determined its economic wealth and international prominence. His concept of sea power had an enormous influence in shaping the strategic thought of naval officials across the world, especially in the united states, germany, japan and britain. Fundamental principles of sea power, analysis of naval history, thoughts on policies and prospects for the future, much more. Excerpts from the influence of sea power upon history, 1660. The influence of sea power upon history by alfred thayer mahan. Mahan served as president of the american historical association in 1902. He now pronounces sea power evangelist alfred thayer. While teaching there, mahan wrote extensively on the role of powerful navies in world history, and he called special attention to englands incredible success as a sea power. Mahan s sole focus on sea power are valid, but it is important to understand that the requirements for the success of a nation and the principles upon which mahan based his writings on sea power are just as essential today to other elements of national power as they were essential in the late 19th century for sea power. Alfred thayer mahan, a maritime historian, examines the united states relationship with naval forces in the past, and attempts to forecast the countrys future as a naval power. Alfred thayer mahan, the interest of america in sea power.
It is deeply biographical, concerning itself primarily with the mans christian life, albeit a christian life lived through a seagoing career and. In 1890, mahan published one of the most important books of the age, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. History of sea power one of contest between nations, therefore largely military, 1. For its time it was a tremendous success and extremely influential for most all large navies. History almost without exception affirms that this is true. Sep 11, 20 the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by alfred thayer mahan, 1918, little, brown edition, 12th ed. How influential was the influence of sea power upon. Alfred thayer mahan, published the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 in 1890. Excerpts from alfred thayer mahans the interest of. Alfred thayer mahan, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 boston. The influence of sea power upon history, 1660 1783, published in 1890, and the influence of sea power upon the french revolution and empire, 17931812, published two years later.
September 27, 1840 december 1, 1914 was a united states naval officer and historian, whom john keegan called the most important american strategist of the nineteenth century. Writing at the close of the nineteenth century, mahan realized that the united states was at the threshold of becoming a major world power. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by alfred thayer mahan, 1918, little, brown edition, 12th ed. Alfred thayer mahan was born on september 27, 1840 at west point, new york, where his father was a professor of civil and military engineering at the u. Both the american naval officer, alfred thayer mahan, and the lawyer from england, julian s.
Considering sea power as the most important factor in the formation of world domination, a. Aug 15, 2012 airsea battle came to my office last week when one of my colleagues, a u. In 1890, captain alfred thayer mahan, a lecturer in naval history and the president of the united states naval war college, published the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, a revolutionary analysis of the importance of naval power as a factor in the rise of the british. The geopolitical vision of alfred thayer mahan the diplomat. Although not as well known, the influence of sea power upon history, written by captain alfred thayer mahan and published in 1890, was a groundbreaking study that explained how the british empire.
The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 work. Alfred thayer s mahan s the influence of sea power upon history was a twovolume work that argued that sea power was the key to military and economic expansion. Alfred thayer mahan, the interest of america in sea power 1897. Mahans scholarly effort, in preparation for a teaching assignment at the naval war college in newport, rhode island, lead him to prepare an unprecedented. View alfred thayer mahan research papers on academia. He died in washington, dc on 1 december 1914, and is buried at quogue, long island. Wrote the influence of sea power upon history, which argued that control of the sea was the key to world dominance. Alfred thayer mahans thoughts, his naval theories, and his contribution to sea power. Mahan defines security in terms of sea power mahan, alfred thayer 1897.
Alfred thayer mahans most popular book is the influence of sea power upon history, 1660. Influence of sea power upon history 16601783 abridged and influence of sea power upon the french revolution 17931812 excerpts. Mahans writings and lectures greatly influenced theodore roosevelt, henry cabot lodge, and other world leaders, including german emperor wilhelm ii, shaping global policy based on sea power at the beginning of the 20th century. As president of the college he began writing books and articles extolling the value of sea power as a key to national greatness. Books by alfred thayer mahan author of the influence of sea. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 alfred thayer mahan full view 1911.
The project gutenberg ebook, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, by a. Their studies occurred against the backdrop of military analysis by such theorists as jomini and clausewitz, and, in mahans case, the writings on war. It details the role of sea power during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and discussed the various factors needed to support and achieve sea power, with emphasis on having the largest and most powerful fleet. In this book he argued for the paramount importance of sea power in national historical supremacy. One vital aspect of his life, however, has been ignored or misunderstood by. Publication date 1905 usage public domain topics united states. Alfred thayer mahan encyclopedia article citizendium. Mahan s lecture notes become the basis for his book, the influence of sea power upon history, published in 1890. The interest of america in sea power, present and future. Our leaders challenge convention, and our engineers respond with innovative solutions both in the shop and on the water. Alfred thayer mahans study of history led him to strongly believe that a nations sea power determined its economic wealth and international prominence. This excerpt is from alfred thayer mahans the influence. Books by alfred thayer mahan author of the influence of.
This is one of those unknown enormously influential books in history. The interesting and significant feature of this changing attitude is the turning of the eyes outward, instead of inward only, to seek the welfare of the country. Airsea battle came to my office last week when one of my colleagues, a u. Pdf mahan on naval strategy download full pdf book.
Mahan identified six main factors which influence the naval power of the state. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 work by. His concept of sea power was based on the idea that countries with greater naval power will have greater worldwide impact. You may copy it, give it away or reuse it under the terms of the project gutenberg license included with this ebook or online at. This edition includes major parts of two books by renowned naval historian alfred thayer mahan, along with an introduction by antony preston. Indeed, he might be considered the thinker on sea power, the essential starting point for studying the course and conduct of war at sea and for understanding the strategic importance of the maritime. Mahans lecture notes become the basis for his book, the influence of sea power upon history, published in 1890. The book, which came at a time of great technological improvement in warships, won.
Excerpts from the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 1890 by alfred thayer mahan first, in peace. Other articles where the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 is discussed. Air force colonel, reported undergoing a cometo mahan moment. He graduated from the naval academy in 1859 and embarked on a nearly 40year naval career seeing duty in the south atlantic and gulf of mexico against the confederacy.
Dec 30, 2014 with regard to mahans elements of sea power, china is situated in the heart of eastcentral asia and has a lengthy seacoast, a huge population, a growing economy, growing military and naval. Alfred thayer mahan stands out as one of the foremost thinkers on naval warfare and maritime strategy. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 alfred thayer mahan first, in peace. Air force colonel, reported undergoing a cometomahan moment. Mahan came to the conclusion that the one who owns the sea possesses all mahan a. Young mahan spent his early years at west point, until he was sent to a boarding school in maryland, st. It details the role of sea power during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and discusses the various factors needed to support and achieve sea power, with emphasis on having the largest and most powerful fleet. Evidence for this assumption is found in the reactions of mahans readers, in their correspondence to him or about him. With regard to mahans elements of sea power, china is situated in the heart of eastcentral asia and has a lengthy seacoast, a huge population, a growing economy, growing military and naval. Alfred thayer mahan was born on 27 september 1840 at west point, new york, where his father, dennis hart mahan, was a distinguished professor of civil and military engineering at the us military academy.
The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 1890. Mahans lectures, based on secondary sources and the military theories of jomini, became his seapower studies. Sea power and american interests in the western pacific. In many cases this commentary drew on the writings of an american naval theorist, alfred thayer mahan. In 1890, mahan published his book, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. Save the romans, there is no marked instance to the contrary. The government by its policy can favor the natural growth of a peoples industries and its tendencies to seek adventure and gain by way of the sea. Having therefore no foreign establishments, either colonial or military, the ships of war of the united states, in war, will be like land birds, unable to fly far from their own shores. Alfred thayer mahan 18401914, widely recognized as the father of seapower theory, held that a world power needs overseas access to raw materials and. Alfred thayer mahan, the interest of america in sea power 1897 alfred thayer mahan was a u. With an 1890 book called the influence of sea power upon history, alfred thayer mahan had a profound and far. Mahan s thesis that for an nation to be great it had to be a sea power was immensely influential in the growth of the german navy prior to world war 1 and the expansion of the us into overseas areas in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Since men live upon the land and not upon the sea, great issues 3 ibid.
Mahan was assigned some of the blame for the naval race before. Its possible future and its present crisis, summoned americans to spread their religion and values. Thayermahan maritime surveillance solutions for defense. It is said that it sold more copies on military theory than all of its predecessors including clausewitz combined. Nov 04, 2017 alfred thayer mahan, a maritime historian, examines the united states relationship with naval forces in the past, and attempts to forecast the countrys future as a naval power. Navy, seapower, united states history war of 1812, united states history war of 1812 naval operations publisher boston little, brown. His book the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 1890 won immediate recognition, especially in europe, and with its successor. In 1890, captain alfred thayer mahan, a lecturer in naval history and the president of the united states naval war college, published the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, a revolutionary analysis of the importance of naval power as a factor in the rise of the british empire. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 12th. The younger mahan, however, attended annapolis and embarked on a naval career seeing duty in the south atlantic and gulf of mexico against the confederacy.
Mahan, the inuence of sea power upon history, 16601783 boston. Excerpts from the influence of sea power upon history. Excerpted from the influence of sea power upon history on wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The influence of sea power upon history, 1660 1783 by.
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